OUR Spotlight On column looks at the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, as well as som lesser known spots.
This week, we’re looking towards more tropical climates and shining the light of the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited the island and raved about it.
She said: “I don’t know why more Brits don’t visit Puerto Rico when planning a Caribbean island.
“The food and drink scene is amazing – after all, its the home of the pina colada, and you can get the local Medalla Light beer for just $2.50 (£1.84) at some bars.
“My highlight was a food tour of San Juan with The Spoon Experience, where we had amazing coffee, ice cream and snacks.
“We even went on a boat trip to Flamenco Beach – one of the best in the world – where we had to jump off the boat and swim to shore.”
Here are some other things to do, as well as where to stay on the island.
MUST SEE/DO
Bad Bunny’s recent Super Bowl performance certainly put Puerto Rico firmly on the map.
This compact Caribbean island, which is the birthplace of the rapper and musician, is full of glorious landscapes from lush rainforests to sparkling beaches.
But the top thing for the bucket list has to be a visit to El Yunque National Forest, where visitors can swim beneath waterfalls and spot exotic birds.
The forest comes even more alive at night, thanks to its bioluminescent waters.
The island is home to three of only five bioluminescent bays in the world, including the brightest at Mosquito Bay in Vieques.
HIDDEN GEM
For a real taste of local life, head to the Piñones neighbourhood – also known as the “soul of the island”.
Afro-Caribbean heritage comes alive here through vibrant street food, such as alcapurrias, a tyoe of fried fritter made with with grated yuca and sometimes green banana.
Explorers should ditch the beach and head to Puerto Rico’s Central Mountain Region instead.
This area is known for its coffee production so sampling the freshly roasted brews is a must.
Make sure to try Creole-inspired dishes at traditional taverns while soaking up sweeping interior views.
BEST VIEW
If you don’t fancy trekking up the mountains, then Alma Hotel rooftop bar in Old San Juan is the next best thing.
You can drink in the views, which are undeniably spectacular at sunset, alongside a cocktail.
From this high vantage point you’ll be able to gaze out across the terracotta rooftops, and sparkling bay.
Knock back a plate of oysters alongside a canella old fashioned made with cinnamon-infused bourbon, rosemary syrup and orange bitters.
RATED RESTAURANT
Cocina Abierta in San Juan served a menu of reinterpreted classics like mofongo, traditionally made from mashed and fried green plantains, except here its made with peking duck.
Plates are bold, elegant and sophisticated.
A five-course tasting menu costs around £64 a head and booking is recommended.
Bacoa Finca y Fogón is another great spot that offers farm-to-table dining with a focus on sustainable cooking.
BEST BAR
La Factoría in Old San Juan is frequently ranked among the world’s best bars by 50 Best.
Made up of a maze of candlelit rooms, this chic bar not only serves up creative cocktails, it also hosts regular live music nights.
It’s chaotic, fun, and quintessentially Puerto Rican.
The James Beard award-winning Identidad Cocktail Bar is another top spot for cocktail lovers.
Try the whisky highball which celebrates typical Caribbean ingredients like Glenlivet Caribbean (a type of whisky) muddled with ginger, vanilla, cardamom, bitters and soda.
HOTEL PICK
Dreamcatcher by DW is a boutique vegetarian hotel with just nineteen rooms, that sits a ten-minute drive from Old San Juan.
Quirky suites feature stained-glass windows, old hacienda archways and concrete soaking tubs.
Guests can unwind on tropical terraces in breezy hammocks.
Rooms cost from £224 per night. See dreamerswelcome.com.
